Roblox launches an AI-powered game-creation feature in its mobile app

Roblox announced A new feature called “Build” is coming Thursday, allowing users to design games using AI from their mobile devices.

The Build feature allows anyone to turn simple text prompts into a basic game without any programming experience. For example, if a user types “Let’s create a fun adventure game set in a dense forest,” the new feature will generate an initial version of the game, which users can then customize and share with friends.

“Powered by a wide range of AI models, including both open-source and proprietary Roblox models, Build controls the gameplay mechanics, environment, characters, visual style, sound and more,” the company wrote in its blog post.

Companies like Google, Microsoft and Tencent have built similar tools. However, AI-based game generation has raised concerns among developers and players, with critics claiming that reducing barriers to game development through text prompts could lead to an influx of repetitive, low-quality games. This can also increase competition on the platform, as creators have to compete not only with other developers, but also with AI-generated content that can be produced much faster.

These concerns are reflected in this year’s figures Game Developers Conference State of affairs in the gaming industry A survey found that 52% of gaming industry professionals believe generative AI has a negative impact on the industry.

To address this, Roblox plans to rank these AI-generated games based on player retention, similar to the system used for other games on the platform. If a game isn’t played, it won’t be as prominent.

“Our detection systems are designed to highlight games with long-term retention, which doesn’t include AI slop. The quality of games on the homepage doesn’t change: if no one plays it, no one can find it. The goal of these new tools is to continue to accelerate creation at all experience levels,” the company added.

The Build feature will go into public testing on July 28 and will be available to New Zealand users aged nine and over who have verified their age. Users aged 16 and over will have the opportunity to publish their creations to a global audience. A free basic version will be available, along with paid options.

In addition to the Build feature, Roblox is also working on developing AI agents that will help creators test the game and provide analytics. These features are expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

The new feature highlights Roblox’s continued investments in AI, including an AI base model for generating 3D game assets and an AI chatbot for supporting developers during the game building process. Additionally, Roblox is developing a “new scene generation model” capable of creating fully editable and playable 3D scenes from a single text prompt.

Moreover, the announcement comes shortly after Roblox revealed plans to discontinue ‘Roblox Connect’, the avatar-based video calling feature introduced in 2023.